A Sock and a Method for its Manufacture

ABSTRACT

There is provided herein, a sock comprising a toe and/or a heel area, wherein said toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical. There is also provided, a method for manufacturing a sock comprising forming a toe and/or a heel area divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical.

BACKGROUND

A sock is a knitted garment used for enclosing and covering the humanfoot and often also the lower part of the leg. Socks are usually aimedat isolating the foot from the outside temperature, absorbing moistureand sweat, and mitigating friction between the foot and the shoe.

Socks are often made of cotton, wool, polyester, nylon or othermaterials. They come in many colors and patterns, although thecomplexity and structure of the patterns is usually limited by themanufacturing techniques in use today.

Commercially manufactured socks are produced using circular knittingmachines. These machines employ needles mounted on a cylinder orsometimes a double cylinder. The cylinder spins and the needlesinterlock loops of yarn. When the knitting process is over, the producedsock usually looks like a tube of cloth, open from both sides. Later onin the process, the sock is moved to a sewing or stitching machine forclosing its toe area. Such machines are often referred to as “toeclosing machines”.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedtherewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising a toearea, wherein the toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, whereina borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentiallyvertical.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising a toearea, wherein the toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, whereina borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas extends essentiallyparallel to a central axis of the sock.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising a toearea, wherein the toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, whereina borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas comprises avertical component.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising aheel area, wherein the heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas,wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas isessentially vertical.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising aheel area, wherein the heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas,wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas extendsessentially parallel to a central axis of the sock.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock comprising aheel area, wherein the heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas,wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas comprises avertical component.

According to other embodiments, there is provided a method formanufacturing a sock comprising forming a toe area divided to at leasttwo sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacentsub-areas is essentially vertical.

According to other embodiments, there is provided a method formanufacturing a sock comprising forming a heel area divided to at leasttwo sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacentsub-areas is essentially vertical.

Forming may include knitting. Forming may include a three-dimensional“needle by needle selection” process. Forming may be performed by atleast one needle being in a knitting position and at least one needlebeing in a miss level position.

The at least two adjacent sub-areas may be essentially integrallyformed. The least two adjacent sub-areas may be formed during a knittingprocess of the sock. The at least two sub-areas may be distinguishedfrom each other by at least one property.

A property may include at least one of: elasticity, strength, softness,isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shockabsorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knitting type, yarncomposition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physical property, and/orany other property.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the referenced figures anddrawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosedherein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a sock;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a partial perspective view of a sock;

FIG. 3 schematically shows another partial perspective view of a sock;

FIG. 4 schematically shows another perspective view of a sock;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a plan view of a sock, viewed from the rear;

FIG. 6 schematically shows a partial plan view of the heel area of asock, viewed from the rear;

FIG. 7 schematically shows a plan view of a knitting pattern;

FIG. 8 schematically shows a magnified plan view of knitting area 730 ofFIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent disclosure may be practiced without these details and thereforeit is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a sock including a toearea, a heel area or both, wherein the toe area, the heel area or both,are divided, independently, to at least two sub-areas, wherein theborderline between two adjacent sub-areas is vertical or has a verticalcomponent. The two adjacent sub-areas may essentially be integrallyformed, for example, during the knitting process of the sock.

The two adjacent sub-areas may be characterized in different properties(such as elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density,thickness, liquid (such as sweat) absorption, shock absorption,appearance, colors, yarn colors, knitting types (such as plain knitting,terry knitting or any other knitting type), yarn compositions (forexample, natural yarns such as cotton and wool yarns, man-made yarnssuch as viscose yarns, synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon andpolypropylene yarns and the like, and other yarns composition includingany combination and ratios of materials), yarn count (such as yarnthickness), yarn physical properties (such as elasticity, strength orany other property) or any combination thereof.

The term vertical as referred to herein may include the direction whichextends essentially along the central axis of formation of the sock. Inother words, the term vertical as referred to herein may include thelonger tubular dimension of the sock. The central axis (which may alsobe referred to as the longer tubular dimension) of the sock isschematically illustrated in FIG. 5 as central axis 580.

A borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is referred toherein as having a “vertical component” if it is not perpendicular to acentral axis of formation of the sock, such as central axis 580.Examples of borderlines between at least two adjacent sub-areas having“vertical components” include, line 558 in FIG. 5 and line 104 in FIG.1.

The toe area and/or the heel area may also be referred to as thereciprocated areas of the sock since there are generally being knittedby a reciprocating process wherein the knitting is performed in a “backand forth” manner as opposed to the spiral continuous knitting that isgenerally applied for the rest of the sock areas.

Generally, the toe area and/or the heel area are currently being knittedusing needle pickers.

According to some embodiments, the toe area and/or the heel area may beknitted according to the three-dimensional “needle by needle selection”process.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of anexemplary sock, shown at 100. Sock 100 may be schematically divided intothree areas:

-   -   a toe area, such as toe area 110, that may include a first toe        sub-area (“FITOE”), such as FITOE 106, and a second toe sub-area        (“SETOE”), such as SETOE 108;    -   a heel area, such as heel area 150, that may include a first        heel sub-area (“FIHEEL”), such as FIHEEL 152, and a second heel        sub-area (“SEHEEL”), such as SEHEEL 154; and    -   a residual area, such as residual area 102, that may constitute        an area of sock 100 not contained within toe area 110 and heel        area 150.

Exemplary sock 100, as can be discerned from the general shape of itsoutline, may be intended to fit the right foot of a user. It will beunderstood by persons of skill in the art that the present disclosureapplies also to a sock (not shown) that may fit the left foot or auser—such sock (not shown) may be an identical mirror image of sock 100described herein. In other embodiments (not shown), a pair of socks mayinclude two socks that are not identical mirror images of each other—forexample, when a user has feet of different shapes and/or sizes, or whensocks with different characteristics are otherwise required.

Toe area 110 and/or heel area 150 of sock 100 may include multiplecombinations of yarn types, yarn thicknesses, yarn colors, knittingtypes and the like. Examples of such combinations, as well as othercharacteristics of toe area 110 and/or heel area 150 are furtherdescribed below, in section 1 (“The Toe Area”) and section 2 (“The HeelArea”).

1. The Toe Area

Exemplary toe area 110 shown in FIG. 1, may be an area essentiallysurrounding or covering the toes of a user's foot when sock 100 isworn—whereby “surrounding” may include both surrounding the top side ofthe toes (which may lie essentially under 110) and surrounding thebottom side of the toes (not shown). In other embodiments (not shown), atoe area may essentially surround only the top side of the toes or,alternatively, only the bottom side of the toes. In further embodiments(not shown), a toe area may have a more complex pattern. For example, atoe area may surround portion(s) of the top side of the toes andportion(s) of the bottom side of the toes, as well as optionally includefurther areas of the sock essentially covering other portion(s) of theuser's foot.

Toe area 110 may include, as already noted, FITOE 106 and SETOE 108.Exemplary FITOE 106 may essentially cover a big toe of a user's foot,whereas exemplary SETOE 108 may essentially cover the rest of the user'stoes.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment is shown, wherein a toearea, such as toe area 210, may include three sub-areas: a FITOE, suchas FITOE 206; a SETOE, such as SETOE 208; and a third toe sub-area(“TITOE”), such as TITOE 212. FITOE 206 may essentially cover a big toeof a user's foot, SETOE 208 may essentially cover the two toes next tothe big toe, and TITOE 212 may essentially cover the two toes farthestfrom the big toe. Other embodiments (not shown) may include a pluralityof sub-areas that may essentially correspond to the location ofdifferent toes. Furthermore, sub-areas (not shown) may each correspondto the location of groups of one or more toes.

The embodiments of a toe area shown at 110 in FIG. 1 and at 210 in FIG.2, may include sub-areas, as described above, that may essentially coverand/or correspond to the location of the user's toes. However, furtherembodiments may include sub-areas that do not necessarily correspond tothe location of the user's toes, but rather be laid out in differentpattern(s) and/or path(s). Such an exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG.3, wherein a toe area, such as toe area 310, may include a FITOE, suchas FITOE 306, and a SETOE, such as SETOE 308. FITOE 306 may have anessentially prolonged oval shape which may extend from approximatelyabove the user's big toe, about the tip of the big toe, and then underthe big toe. SETOE 308 may essentially constitute the rest of toe area310 not contained within FITOE 206.

Similar to exemplary toe area 310 shown in FIG. 3, other embodiments(not shown) may include further combinations of sub-areas, havingvarious shapes, sizes, layouts, patterns and/or paths, eithercorresponding to the location of the user's toes or not. It will becomeapparent to those of skill in the art, that the embodiments of a toearea shown at 110, 210 and 310 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively,represent merely three examples of possible shapes, sizes, layouts,patterns and/or paths of sub-areas of a toe area. Those of skill in theart will recognize that various other possibilities and combinations mayexist, all of which are within the intended scope of this disclosure.

Sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE 108 of FIG. 1, FITOE 206, SETOE208 and TITOE 212 of FIG. 2, and FITOE 306 and SETOE 308 of FIG. 3, maydiffer than one another in various characteristics. For example,different sub-areas may essentially differ in yarn types, yarnthicknesses, yarn colors, knitting methods and the like—such differencesmay be reflected in a cloth having different attributes. Alternatively,one or more sub-areas of a toe area may share some or all of the samecharacteristics, whereas other one or more sub-areas of that same toearea may share different or similar sets of some or all of the samecharacteristics. Additionally, different sub-areas may be knitted, forexample, using the same one or more yarns, but the knitting method usedto form each sub-area may result in a sub-area having differenttextures, thicknesses, structures and/or other attributes.Alternatively, the difference in texture, thickness, structure and/orother attributes may be the outcome of using additional combinations ofsimilar or different yarns with similar or different knitting methods,across different sub-areas.

Some of the possible textures, thicknesses and structures of the clothforming sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE 108 of FIG. 1, FITOE 206,SETOE 208 and TITOE 212 of FIG. 2, and FITOE 306 and SETOE 308 of FIG.3, may be essentially resulting from different methods of knitting, suchas terry-knitting (a knitting method often producing a towel-likecloth), plain mesh knitting (a knitting method often producing anessentially flat cloth) and/or tuck stitching (a knitting or stitchingmethod often producing a denser, heavier cloth). These and otherknitting methods may be performed in conjunction with different orsimilar types, thicknesses and/or colors of yarn.

Referring now to FIG. 1, sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE 108, mayessentially abut each other along a borderline, such as first borderline104, and may both abut a residual area of a sock, such as residual area102 of sock 100 along a borderline, such as second borderline 108. FITOE106, SETOE 108 and residual area 102, may be essentially functionallyconnected or attached to each other by means of stitching. Moreadvantageously, FITOE 106, SETOE 108 and residual area 102 may beessentially integrally formed by means of knitting. Integrally formingthese three areas together may be preferred over stitching for multiplereasons. For example, the production process of a sock, such as sock100, may be faster this way; a sock, such as sock 100, may be moredurable and less prone to tearing if its sub-areas are integrallyformed; and a sock, such as sock 100, may be more decorativelyattractive if its sub-areas are integrally formed rather than stitchedtogether.

However, in some embodiments, a residual area may be essentiallystitched to a toe area, while essentially eliminating or mitigating someor all of the disadvantages of stitching mentioned above. Referring nowto FIG. 4, an exemplary sock is shown, in a side view, at 400; sock 400may be identical or similar to sock 100 of FIG. 1. Sock 400 may have aborderline, such as second borderline 408, which may be identical orsimilar to second borderline 108 of FIG. 1. Second borderline 408 mayessentially extend over the top half of sock 400, meaning, it may runabove the top side of the user's foot when sock 400 is worn, rather thanbelow the bottom side of the user's foot. In other embodiments (notshown), a second borderline may run below the bottom side of the user'sfoot. Sock 400 may also have a toe area, such as toe area 410, which maybe identical or similar to toe area 110 of FIG. 1, and a residual area,such as residual area 402, which may be identical or similar to residualarea 102 of FIG. 1. Residual area 402 and toe area 410 may beessentially stitched to one another along second borderline 408.

Such stitching may be advantageous, in some cases, essentially due tothe characteristics of a knitting machine which may be used to knit sock400, or due to other reasons. Such knitting machine may be a circularknitting machine, which may knit a sock, such as sock 400, inessentially circular patterns. The essentially final product of such acircular knitting machine may be an essentially tubular cloth, open atits two ends (not shown). One of the open ends may be at secondborderline 408, although an open position of a sock is not shown in FIG.4. Essentially after the circular knitting machine had completedproducing the tubular cloth, which may be open at its two ends, thetubular cloth may be closed at one end by stitching together a toe area,such as toe area 410, and a residual area, such as residual area 402.Such stitching, as mentioned above, may be sometimes preferred overintegrally forming toe area 410 and residual area 402. Firstly, suchstitching is common among current regular socks, and therefore it maynot be decoratively interfering. Secondly, such stitching may be, onsome instances and/or when using certain knitting machines, faster andthereby more efficient than integrally forming toe area 410 and residualarea 402.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there are many benefits to forming a sock, suchas sock 100, with a plurality of sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE108. For example, a plurality of sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE108, may allow satisfying specific, individual needs of a certain toe ora group of toes, and/or needs of other part(s) of the user's foot. Suchneeds may be medical needs, needs pertaining to the user's comfort andcoziness and/or needs of protecting certain area(s) of the foot againstbruising, fluids, sharp objects, undesired temperature and/or otherenvironmental conditions that may be considered by the user as generallyundesired. Furthermore, forming a sock, such as sock 100, with at leastone sub-area, such as FITOE 106 or SETOE 108, having a relatively thick,heavy and/or dense cloth, may result in better cushioning and/orshock-absorbing of the relevant sub-area(s). In addition, a smoothercloth may prevent rash and/or inflammation of the skin in area(s) of thefoot essentially adjacent to that cloth. Moreover, a thicker clothand/or terry may essentially absorb sweat and/or other liquids, and mayadditionally isolate part(s) of the foot from undesired high or lowtemperatures. As to a more decorative aspect of forming a sock, such assock 100, with a plurality of sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE108—usage of yarns of various colors to essentially form differentlycolored sub-areas, such as FITOE 106 and SETOE 108, an optionally also aresidual area, such as residual area 102, may result in a colorful,eye-catching and attractive sock, such as sock 100.

2. The Heel Area

Exemplary heel area 150 shown in FIG. 1, may be an area essentiallysurrounding or covering the heel of a user's foot when sock 100 is worn.In other embodiments (not shown), a heel area may surround portion(s) ofthe user's heel, as well as portion(s) of other part(s) of the user'sfoot, such as the ankle.

Heel area 150 may essentially cover the heel of a user's foot, and mayhave the general shape of a hemisphere. When viewed perspectively fromthe side, heel area 150 may appear to have an outline with two 90°angles two of its opposite sides—one of these angles, located on theright side of sock 100, is shown at α, and the opposite angle is notvisible in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the angles may have differentmeasurements—for example, 95°, 85°, 81° or the like. The essentiallyhemispherical shape of heel area 150 may become more apparent whenviewed from the rear side of sock 100. Such view is illustrated in FIG.5, in which a heel area, that may be identical or similar to heel area150 of FIG. 1, is shown at 550. As can be noticed when observing FIG. 5,heel area 550 may have a round or a somewhat oval outline when viewedfrom the rear. The round or somewhat oval shape of heel area 550 may be,as already noted, essentially hemispherical, having a sphericityelevating generally towards the viewer—and therefore not observable inFIG. 5. Further observing now FIG. 5, a residual area, such as residualarea 102 of FIG. 1, is shown at 502. The upper part of residual area502, that is shown at 530, may essentially be directed towards the topopening of a sock (only partially shown in FIG. 5, and shown in whole at100 in FIG. 1), whereas the lower part of residual area 502, that isshown at 532, may be directed towards the lower end and a toe area, suchas toe area 110 shown in FIG. 1, of a sock, (only partially shown inFIG. 5, and shown in whole at 100 in FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIG. 1, heel area 150 may include a FIHEEL, such asFIHEEL 152, and a SEHEEL, such as SEHEEL 154. FIHEEL 152 and SEHEEL 154may constitute adjacent regions of heel area 150. Exemplary SEHEEL 154may extend over an essentially central portion of heel area 150, and mayhave the shape of essentially an ellipse extending horizontally, acentral part of which is essentially perpendicularly protrudingdownwards. The shape of SEHEEL 154 may be better observed in FIG. 5,which shows it, at 554, from a rear view. SEHEEL 554 may be essentiallylocated, when sock 100 of FIG. 1 is worn, below an area of the user'sheel applying an essentially substantial force resulting from the user'sbody weight.

Similar to the exemplary heel area shown at 150 and 550 in FIGS. 1 and5, respectively, other embodiments (some are not shown) may includefurther combinations of sub-areas, such as FIHEEL 152 and 552 and SEHEEL154 and 554 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, respectively, optionally havingvarious shapes, sizes, layouts, patterns and/or paths. For example,referring now to FIG. 6, a heel area, such as heel area 650, may beessentially vertically divided into two halves—a FIHEEL, such as FIHEEL652, and a SEHEEL, SEHEEL 654.

It will become apparent to those of skill in the art, that theembodiments of a heel area shown at 150, 550 and 650 in FIGS. 1, 5 and6, respectively, represent merely three examples of possible shapes,sizes, layouts, patterns and/or paths of sub-areas of a heel area. Thoseof skill in the art will recognize that various other possibilities andcombinations may exist, all of which are within the intended scope ofthis disclosure.

Similar to what was disclosed herein in section 1 (“The Toe Area”),sub-areas of a heel area, such as FIHEEL 152, 552 and 652, SEHEEL 154,554 and 654 of heel area 150, 550 and 650 shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6,respectively, may also abut each other, as well as optionally abut aresidual area, such as residual area 102 and 502 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5,respectively. Such abutting may occur along borderlines, such as thirdborderline 156 and fourth borderline 158 shown in FIG. 1, and alongrespective third borderline 556 and fourth borderline 558 shown in FIG.5. The different methods of essentially functionally connecting,attaching or integrally forming different sub-areas and/or a residualarea, may be similar to the methods already disclosed herein insection 1. It will become apparent to those of skill in the art, thatmethods such as those disclosed in section 1, are fully applicable here,and therefore do not require repetition.

Additionally, descriptions of combinations of yarn types, yarnthicknesses, yarn colors, knitting types and the like, that were alreadydisclosed in section 1, may apply also to a heel area, such as heel area150, 550 and 650 shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, respectively. It will becomeapparent to those of skill in the art, that yarn types, yarnthicknesses, yarn colors, knitting types and the like, such as thosedisclosed in section 1, are fully applicable here, and therefore do notrequire repetition.

Furthermore, it will become apparent to those of skill in the art, thatthe description in section 1 of benefits and advantages of forming asock, such as sock 100 shown in FIG. 1, with multiple sub-areas of aheel area, such as FIHEEL 152, 552 and 652, SEHEEL 154, 554 and 654 ofheel area 150, 550 and 650 shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, respectively, isfully applicable here, and therefore does not require repetition. Inaddition to what was disclosed in section 1, the specified shape and/orlocation of a SEHEEL, such as SEHEEL 554 shown in FIG. 5, may beespecially advantageous in cushioning and/or supporting an area of theuser's heel located essentially above it when the sock, such as sock 100shown in FIG. 1 is worn. Such area of the user's foot may concentrate anessentially substantial force, resulting from the user's body weight andapplied essentially downwards. Therefore, providing a SEHEEL, such asSEHEEL 554 shown in FIG. 5, having cushioning and/or supportivecharacteristics (such as when forming it with a relatively soft, rigidand/or soft cloth) may be advantageous.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which schematically illustrates aknitting pattern of toe area, according to some exemplary embodiments.The knitting pattern 700 include a top side 702 (which is adapted to fitthe top side of the toes) and a bottom side 704 which is adapted to fitthe bottom side of the toes. The top side 702 and the bottom side 704are separated by line 706 (which may optionally an imaginary line). Thetop side 702 includes two sub areas, namely, sub-area 708 and sub-area710 which are separated by a separating zone 712 which extends inparallel to the central axis of formation of the sock. Each one ofsub-area 708 and sub-area 710 includes horizontal knitted sections 716(which extends perpendicular to he central axis of formation of thesock) such as sections 716 a-f. Knitted sections 716 a, c and e ofsub-area 710 are intermittently positioned and with knitted sections 716b, d and of sub-area 708. The knitted sections of sub-area 710, such asknitted sections 716 a, c and the knitted sections of sub-area 708, suchas knitted sections 716 b, d and f are intermittently positioned andpartially overlap in the separating zone 712. The bottom side 704 shownherein includes only one sub-area, but may include two or moresub-areas, such as those described for the top side 702.

FIG. 7 shows only an example of possible knitting pattern. Otherknitting patterns are also covered herein. These knitting patterns mayinclude, for example, one or more curved separating zone located in thecenter or in any other position of the top and/or bottom heel and/or toeareas. Any form or number of sub-sections are optional according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a magnified plan view of the knitting area730 of FIG. 7.

Knitted section 816 c includes two parallel and adjacent knitted lines,namely knitted line 818 c and knitted line 820 c. Each one of knittedline 818 c and knitted line 820 c includes a plurality of abuttingcolumns. The columns of knitted line 818 c are sequentially numbered 1,2, 3, . . . , n, n+1, . . . , k. The columns of knitted line 820 c aresequentially numbered 1′, 2′, 3′, . . . , n′−1, n′, n′+1, . . . , k′.Each column represents the potential location of a needle. The needles(not shown), which are adapted to operate in a “selected needle byneedle” mode can be in a knitting position (in other words in a “clearlevel”), if selected to knit, or in a “miss level” position, wherein theneedle will not knit. Therefore, columns which represent needles in aknitting position (clear level) will include a knitted loop and columns,which represent miss needles will not include a knitted loop.

The number of columns in knitted line 818 c is k. Columns 1 to n−2 and ninclude knitted loops, while column n−1 and columns n+1 to k do notinclude a knitted loop.

The number of columns in knitted line 820 c is k′. Columns 1 to n′−1include knitted loops. Columns n′ to k′ do not include knitted loops.The number n may be equal to n′. The number k may be equal to k′.

Knitted section 816 d includes two parallel and adjacent knitted lines,namely knitted line 818 d and knitted line 820 d. Each one of knittedline 818 d and knitted line 820 d includes a plurality of abuttingcolumns. The columns of knitted line 818 d are sequentially numbered(from the opposite side relative to the numbering of knitted line 818 cand knitted line 820 c) 1*, 2*, 3* . . . , m* m*+1, . . . , k*. Thecolumns of knitted line 820 c are sequentially numbered 1**, 2**, 3**, .. . , n**−1, m**, m**+1, . . . , k**. Each column represents thepotential location of a needle. The number of columns in knitted line818 d is k*. Columns 1* to m*−2 and m* include knitted loops, whilecolumn m*−1 and columns m*+1 to k* do not include a knitted loop.

The number of columns in knitted line 820 d is k**. Columns 1 to m**−1include knitted loops. Columns m** to k** do not include knitted loops.The number m* may be equal to m**. The number k may be equal to k′, tok* and/or to k**.

The separating zone 812 includes columns n, n−1 in parallel to n′, n′−1in parallel to m*, m*−1 in parallel to m**, m**−1, which when repeatedmultiple times results in a zipper like structure. Of course any otherknitting pattern that may result in a zipper like structure that islocated between two adjacent sub-areas is covered under the scope ofthis disclosure. For example, wherein any one (one or more) of columnsn, n−1, n′, n′−1, m*, m*−1, m**, m**−1 (or any other column) mayrepresent two or more needles positions and may thus result in two ormore loops when knitted.

Of course other patterns that may include other separating zones havingother numbers and or arrangements of columns.

3. A Knitting Process, According to Some Embodiments EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting options (examples) are for illustrativepurposes; of course other configuration of yarn fingers and/or types ofyarn (color, material, properties and like) may be used in any possiblecombination. For example, the plaiting yarn(s) and/or the backgroundyarn(s) may be knitted through any other yarn finger or any combinationsof yarn fingers.

Option 1: One plaiting yarn for the heel and/or toe with differentbackground.The plaiting yarn is knitted through yarn finger No. 4.The background yarns in the different areas (such as areas A and B) areknitted through yarn fingers as follows:No. 3—sub-area 708No. 5—sub-area 710

Option 2:

Different plaiting yarn for the heel and/or toe areas with differentbackground.The plaiting yarns are knitted through yarn fingersNo. 4—sub-area 710No. 2—sub-area 708The background yarns in the different areas (such as areas A and B) areknitted through yarn fingers as follows:No. 3—sub-area 708No. 5—sub-area 710

The reciprocated areas of the sock, such as the heel and/or the toeareas, may by knitted with a knitting principle of the three dimensionalknitting by the use of selection of needles (such as electronicselection of needles) and optionally without the usage of the needlepickers.

On the first course (for example, when starting knitting a line) forwardrotation of the reciprocated part of the sock is performed, while twoyarn fingers are entering to the knitting process (yarn fingers 4 & 5,which are the yarns of sub-area 710) and all other yarn fingers aretemporarily inactive. Each of the needles knit in the same line, howeverthe last needle of sub-area 710 is missed. On the same line, the firstneedle of sub-area 708 is clear needle (the needle knits) and all otherneedles in this line are in miss level (do not knit). The second course(course 2) is a backward rotation and all needles are in miss level. Onthat course (course 2) in option 1 yarn finger 3 is going in, in option2 yarn fingers 2&3 are going in (yarns of sub-area 708). The next course(course 3) is forward rotation course. Yarns of sub-area 710 are goingout and only the selected needles of sub-area 708 are in clear levelwhile all the others are in miss level. On the next backward rotation(course 4) the last needle of sub-area 710 is in clear level, the firstneedle of sub-area 708 is in miss level and only the needles of sub-area708 (besides the first) are in clear levels while all the others are inmiss levels. On the next forward course (course 5) all needles are inmiss level, the yarns of sub-area 710 are going in. On the next backwardrotation (course 6), yarn fingers of sub-area 708 are going out, onlythe needles of sub-area 710 are in clear level while all the others aremiss needles. On the next forward rotation (course 7), the last needleof sub-area 710 is miss needle, the first of sub-area 708 is clearneedle and only the rest of the needles of 710 area are clear needleswhile all the other are miss needles.

From this point the process repeats on courses 2 to 7 until the end ofthe reciprocated part of the sock. The position of the binding line ofthe two areas may be changed according to the design of the sock.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claim and claims hereafterintroduced be interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

1. A sock comprising a toe area, wherein said toe area is divided to atleast two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacentsub-areas is essentially vertical.
 2. The sock according to claim 1,wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrallyformed.
 3. The sock according to claim 1, wherein said at least twoadjacent sub-areas are formed during a knitting process of the sock. 4.The sock according to claim 1, wherein at least two sub-areas aredistinguished from each other by at least one property.
 5. The sockaccording to claim 4, wherein a property comprise at least one of:elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness,liquid absorption, shock absorption, appearance, color, yarn color,knitting type, yarn composition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarnphysical property.
 6. A sock comprising a toe area, wherein said toearea is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline betweenat least two adjacent sub-areas extends essentially parallel to acentral axis of the sock.
 7. The sock according to claim 6, wherein saidat least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed. 8.The sock according to claim 6, wherein said at least two adjacentsub-areas are formed during a knitting process of the sock.
 9. The sockaccording to claim 6, wherein at least two sub-areas are distinguishedfrom each other by at least one property.
 10. The sock according toclaim 9, wherein a property comprise at least one of: elasticity,strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquidabsorption, shock absorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knittingtype, yarn composition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physicalproperty.
 11. A sock comprising a toe area, wherein said toe area isdivided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at leasttwo adjacent sub-areas comprises a vertical component.
 12. The sockaccording to claim 11, wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas areessentially integrally formed.
 13. The sock according to claim 11,wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed during aknitting process of the sock.
 14. The sock according to claim 11,wherein at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by atleast one property.
 15. The sock according to claim 14, wherein aproperty comprise at least one of: elasticity, strength, softness,isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shockabsorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knitting type, yarncomposition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physical property.
 16. Amethod for manufacturing a sock comprising: forming a toe area dividedto at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least twoadjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentiallyintegrally formed.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein saidforming comprises knitting.
 19. The method according to claim 16,wherein said forming comprises a three-dimensional “needle by needleselection” process.
 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein saidforming is performed by at least one needle being in a knitting positionand at least one needle being in a miss level position.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein at least two sub-areas are distinguishedfrom each other by at least one property.
 22. The method according toclaim 21, wherein a property comprise at least one of: elasticity,strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquidabsorption, shock absorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knittingtype, yarn composition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physicalproperty.
 23. A sock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area isdivided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at leasttwo adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical.
 24. The sock accordingto claim 23, wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas areessentially integrally formed.
 25. The sock according to claim 23,wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed during aknitting process of the sock.
 26. The sock according to claim 23,wherein at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by atleast one property.
 27. The sock according to claim 26, wherein aproperty comprise at least one of: elasticity, strength, softness,isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shockabsorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knitting type, yarncomposition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physical property.
 28. Asock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area is divided to atleast two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacentsub-areas extends essentially parallel to a central axis of the sock.29. The sock according to claim 28, wherein said at least two adjacentsub-areas are essentially integrally formed.
 30. The sock according toclaim 28, wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed duringa knitting process of the sock.
 31. The sock according to claim 28,wherein at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by atleast one property.
 32. The sock according to claim 31, wherein aproperty comprise at least one of: elasticity, strength, softness,isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shockabsorption, appearance, color, yarn color, knitting type, yarncomposition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarn physical property.
 33. Asock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area is divided to atleast two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacentsub-areas comprises a vertical component.
 34. The sock according toclaim 33, wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentiallyintegrally formed.
 35. The sock according to claim 33, wherein said atleast two adjacent sub-areas are formed during a knitting process of thesock.
 36. The sock according to claim 33, wherein at least two sub-areasare distinguished from each other by at least one property.
 37. The sockaccording to claim 36, wherein a property comprise at least one of:elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness,liquid absorption, shock absorption, appearance, color, yarn color,knitting type, yarn composition, yarn thickness, yarn count, yarnphysical property.
 38. A method for manufacturing a sock comprising:forming a heel area divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein aborderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentiallyvertical.
 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein said at leasttwo adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed.
 40. The methodaccording to claim 38, wherein said forming comprises knitting.
 41. Themethod according to claim 38, wherein said forming comprises athree-dimensional “needle by needle selection” process.
 42. The methodaccording to claim 38, wherein said forming is performed by at least oneneedle being in a knitting position and at least one needle being in amiss level position.
 43. The method according to claim 38, wherein atleast two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least oneproperty.
 44. The method according to claim 43, wherein a propertycomprise at least one of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation,friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption,appearance, color, yarn color, knitting type, yarn composition, yarnthickness, yarn count, yarn physical property.